Debate II

U.S. Presidential flag, 1960-present (not usually called a “standard” in official U.S. government terminology). It is defined in Executive Order 10860. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

OK, we had the second debate last night. They mostly covered domestic stuff, it’s important and you can find the breakdown all over the place this morning, if you’re interested. Here’s the thing, for the most part, it doesn’t matter. Obama‘s been President for nearly four years, we know what to expect. Romney/Ryan have good sensible plans which are unlikely to survive intact contact with Congress. Mostly what we are electing here is the man we think will be the better leader. It more about philosophy than anything else. Both men are known quantities.

Let’s talk about Romney first, The computer guys talk about WYSIWYG, what you see is what you get, that pretty much applies to Romney. Good man, excellent grasp of the facts, understands where we need to go to be successful, willing to surround himself with high achievers. That tells me about his confidence in himself, if you don’t believe in yourself, you don’t hire superb assistants like Paul Ryan. He’s a self-made man, like his dad before him, which is extremely rare (You remember he gave his inheritance to charity, right?) I’m not very easy to impress but, this guy was a superstar in business. Do I agree with everything he has said or done? Of course not. But I trust him to do what he thinks is right based on circumstances at the time. A man of integrity and character, and that what I look for when I hire.

Then there is Obama, last debate I called him an affirmative action hire, which is accurate, but not complete. I think Obama loves the trappings of being President, the acclaim, the flags, the soldiers saluting, the fancy house and servants, the motorcades, the fancy jet, all that stuff that has grown around the president, mostly for security. As far as being the president in the sense of being the leader of the free world, I don’t think he gives a damn. If Valerie Jarrett were a conservative, he’d be a conservative but, she’s a radical leftist so he is too. He really is an empty suit, reflecting those who do the work.

What I mostly saw last night was a man in his fifties running to mommy to complain that the other guy was not sharing his toys, in this case speaking for about three minutes more than Romney and using at least 5 minutes complaining that Romney was stealing his time. He reminded me of a spoiled 5-year-old in the toy store, when mom said no he always throws a tantrum.

The other thing that I always see is a man who can’t take responsibility for tying his own shoes, this is the basis of the ‘Blame Bush‘ which had advanced to a syndrome. Bush screwed up plenty but, at some point you have to take at least some responsibility for yourself. I’d bet we’ve all worked with this guy, shifting the blame to underlings, taking credit for others ideas. We have terms for these guys, about the only printable one is “Brown nose”.

Leadership is a tough racket, even in a small organization, it takes a willingness to put it all on the line and fight on through for your ideals and the mission. Personally, the idea of being President of the United States would scare me spitless. What an awesome responsibility it is. Look how most of our presidents have aged in office, except Obama, he’s pretty much the same playboy he was 4 years ago. Either, responsibility rests very lightly on his shoulders or (and this is more likely) he just doesn’t give a damn, as long as the perks keep coming.

The disdain for ‘the little people’ is pretty obvious really, Obama is out for Obama to have a good time and the devil take the hindmost. If we reelect this cretin we deserve everything we get, and it’ll be bad, very bad. You remember what I said above about hiring on integrity and character? I doubt those words are in Obama’s vocabulary.

In the last analysis: Life is hard and decidedly not fair. Sometimes you win even when you don’t deserve it, sometimes you lose when you deserve to win. That’s life, get over it.

But it’s still true, 90% of success is preparation, and I think Romney is prepared.

And a question for the Republican party. Why do you have this death wish when agreeing to execrable moderators like this loon from CNN? Debates are hard, even harder than math. Debating the moderator as well as the opponent doesn’t make it easier.

Note: I hear that bin Laden is dead and that Obama tracked him down, snuck into Pakistan and killed him, all by himself.

A Reminder of Our Heritage

It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern.

But that reasoning cannot be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people.

Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers.

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You have a great love of history and liturgy. You’re attached to the traditions of the ancients, yet you recognize that the old world — great as it was — is passing away. You are loyal to the customs of your family, though you do not hesitate to call family members to account for their sins.